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Struggling League remains Dodgers' closer

4/28/13: Brandon League retires Ryan Braun for the final out of the ballgame, recording the save as the Dodgers defeat the Brewers

By Austin Laymance
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MLB.com |

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers are sticking with Brandon League as their closer, for now.

"For right now he is," manager Don Mattingly said before Monday's series opener against the Nationals. "I hate to say it like that."

League allowed two runs on three hits in the ninth inning Sunday vs. the Marlins in a non-save situation, his third straight appearance allowing at least one run. The right-hander has surrendered 11 runs (10 earned) in his past 11 appearances entering Monday.

Following three scoreless innings in three appearances to begin the season, League's ERA has increased to 6.28. Still, he's converted eight of his nine save chances.

But given League's recent struggles, the Dodgers are considering shuffling roles at the back end of the bullpen.

Of course, changing roles in the 'pen is not so simple, according to the manager. League, setup man Kenley Jansen and Ronald Belisario all lost games last week.

"If we're getting to the ninth consistently and everybody is pitching well and everybody is doing their thing, then it's a lot easier to set a role," Mattingly said. "We just haven't put ourselves in a good situation very often. We've been inconsistent."

Jansen has been the most consistent of the bunch. The hard-throwing right-hander has turned in a scoreless outing 16 times this season, allowing runs in just three appearances entering Monday.

Austin Laymance is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.